(Thank you, Thank you to: TeaPandas, Mojo98, Face2Face, endoll, LOVEtoLIVE17, and phantasmoon for the follows/favorites. I am humbled by your support. I hope to merit its continuation. I write for you guys. I do not own Maze Runner. Updated 6/15/18)
Thomas spoke corroborating Hudson's assertion that he and Newt were both fine. They quickly explained they'd volunteered to assist in defending the compound with Hudson. Teresa used Thomas and Newt's bloodied appearance as an excuse to hurry them both out of Flat Trans in the direction of Medical. Minho covered for the trio's departure by approaching Hudson flanked by Harriet and Frypan. Hudson immediately spoke, extended his hand to Minho.
"I promise they're both none the worse for ware. I assume you're the man in charge. It's nice to meet you Minho."
Minho didn't extend his own hand to return the gesture.
"So you're Hudson Tombs."
Hudson nodded withdrawing his hand as Minho continued speaking.
"I wish I could say it was a pleasure. From what I can tell we gave away three days worth of food and water for nothing."
Hudson looked disappointed but not surprised. He spoke.
"I think if you talked to Thomas or Newt you'd hear otherwise. We've got a lot to offer Minho."
"First, don't talk to me like you know me," Minho said obstinately.
"I never told you my name, so don't assume anything. Second, let me give you some advice old man. I'm not sure what those guys told you but no one cares if they like you. They can't help you. We divide responsibly by aptitude around here. Thomas and Newt are part of a workgroup we call the Runners. Basically, the least skilled, most expendable people we have. Why else would we send them to do recon with nothing but knives when we know your people have guns?"
Hudson didn't speak but nodded intently as if he was absorbing every word Minho was saying. Minho continued.
"In the interest of cooperation here's the plan. I'm going to have Harriet and Fry show you around our camp. Good news for you, when we give a tour it doesn't involve compulsory military service. So you've got that to look forward too."
With that Minho nodded to Fry and Harriet before he abruptly left without acknowledging Hudson further. Fry turned to Hudson and spoke.
"So are you hungry?"
Hudson's eyes followed Minho until he rounded the corner leaving the Flat Trans station. Once Minho was gone, Hudson spoke.
"Hungry as a hostage kid. But a midnight snack wasn't exactly what I had in mind. I'm hoping we can square a deal for something more long term. We've got kids on the other side of that portal with borderline malnutrition sleeping through hunger pangs."
Hudson's comment had Frypan sucking in his stomach out of a sense of shame. Harriet spoke.
"Well, we're in a position to help you. If you'll just walk with me we'll show you how."
Hudson allowed himself to be lead by Harriet and Frypan. They walked out of Flat Trans into the late-night air. Frypan leaned over to Hudson and whispered.
"Before you slide outta here. I wanna send some stew I just made back with you for the kids. Seems like everyone wants to carry out these days."
Hudson nodded appreciatively and the trio walked in the direction of the Track-hoe gardens.
Meanwhile, on the way to Medical, Teresa was speaking telepathically to Thomas.
*Are you ok Tom?*
Thomas responded in kind.
*Yea, I'm good. Just a bump on the head.*
*Then why do you have blood on you? What happened to you guys?*
*They've only cleared parts of the WICKED facility. The others are still sealed off and, from what we saw, filled with cranks. When we were about to leave something triggered them to attack. Hudson was going to try to hold them off alone.*
*Why would he do that? I thought he had hundreds of people?*
*He's their only immune and the last time other people ended up getting infected. We decided to help out a little.*
Teresa looked at the gore all over Tom's Run pack and light gray shirt. On his back, she could see a bloody handprint with oddly distorted fingers that could only have come from a crank. Teresa pulled on Tom's shirt to point out the evidence of his close call. She dropped telepathy and spoke aloud out of shock.
"This is your idea of helping out a little."
Thomas looked surprised having not noticed the distinctive looking blood stain before.
"It wasn't quite as bad as that makes it look."
Newt shook his head.
"Then you weren't bloody payin' attention Tommy boy."
As Newt, Thomas, and Teresa entered Medical Teresa continued.
"-Oh, I see. So you didn't have a full term crank with nine-inch fingers grab you by the shoulder?"
Thomas stopped walking and faced Teresa. He made deep eye contact with her sensing she needed some reassurance. Thomas spoke.
"Hey... I'm ok."
Newt took off his Run pack and peered down the hall towards Tesla's room. Newt spoke.
"It was a close call. Lucky for you Misha's a good shot. Hey Teresa, am I able to look in on Tes?"
Teresa nodded and spoke.
"Yea, just scrub up and go through decon. She should be awake soon. And Newt, I fitted her with a prosthetic forearm and hand for now. We need to keep her motor neurons active if we're going to reattach her bio arm. So hopefully, this will only be temporary."
Newt nodded and pointed to Thomas as he headed for decon.
"Hey Tommy, nice run Shank."
"You too man."
Thomas nodded back to Newt and hopped up on to Teresa's exam table. Teresa pulled the curtain giving them a moment alone. She spoke.
"Misha's a good shot huh? That almost sounds like a girl's name."
Thomas smiled detecting the hint of jealousy in Teresa's voice.
"It is, and she is. That's where all the blood is from. I'm just glad the round was silenced. Otherwise, you'd be fitting me for a hearing aid right now."
"...I'd just give you a cochlear transplant."
Teresa held Tom's hand. Squeezing his fingers and feeling their warmth made the worry she'd been carrying begin to fade away. Thomas spoke.
"Newt was just being nice about it. I got distracted once we got to the other side. It got us captured. On their side of Flat Trans, It's like WICKED never collapsed. Seeing the exact spot where you saved my life threw me off."
Teresa wrapped her arms around Thomas and hugged him kissing the top of his head. She pulled him tightly into her chest and spoke.
"We have that effect on each other don't we?"
Thomas nodded as he looked up at Teresa and she gave him a sweet kiss on the mouth and spoke.
"You didn't look like prisoners when you came through Flat Trans."
"Not, after they took us to Hudson. I got the impression he would have given us a job if we were willing. He seems ok. I think we can trust him. From what we could see he's just trying to keep his people alive."
Teresa sighed. Partly out of a sense of relief, but also because she knew Thomas always saw the best in people and tended to ignore the rest. Thomas squeezed Teresa's hand and pulled it up to his mouth before kissing it.
"I was thinking about something. I haven't said anything to Newt about it yet because I wanted to hear what you thought about it first. I'm thinking of switching partners."
Teresa looked surprised.
"You don't want to Run with Newt anymore?"
Thomas nodded reluctantly.
"It's like I said. I got us caught. Hudson's people could have turned out to cannibals for all we knew. I just can't risk getting someone else hurt."
"You can't Run solo, Tom. Minho won't let you; I won't let you."
Tom looked into Teresa's round blue eyes.
"Actually, I wasn't planning on it."
The inflection in Thomas' voice shifted as he continued.
"I was thinking I'd ask you to Run with me from now on."
Teresa's eyes got a little wider as the beginning of a smile played across her face.
"Me? ...Are you serious Tom? I'd love that. But wouldn't I just slow you down?"
Thomas shook his head.
"Teresa if I've learned one thing since I've known you it's that we work really well together. We make each other better. Now, more then ever, that's an edge we need out there. On top of that, we have our telepathy. But maybe most importantly, when I'm not with you I'm out of focus and that's no good for anyone."
Teresa nodded sharply looking directly into her boyfriend's eyes.
"I'm so happy to hear you say that Tom. I know exactly what you mean. When we aren't together it's like I'm just floating in my own head. Counting the moments until you get back."
Teresa rolled her eyes hearing how corny her own admission sounded when spoken out loud. Thomas let out a relieved sigh and smiled at Teresa as he spoke.
"Part of me wants to kick my own ass right now for even considering it but..."
"But what Tom?"
"...I know there's no one I'd fight harder to protect out there. And no one who'd fight harder to protect me. I know we could be standing in a room full of cranks and it would still be the safest place we could be, as long as we were together."
Teresa felt her eyes getting wet with early tears hearing Tom's opinion of her. She let out an exhilarated breath.
"You are so hot right now."
Thomas gave Teresa a sexy smile.
"Does that mean you'll Run with me?"
Teresa gave Thomas a deep kiss as her answer. She pulled away, then came back for another. Lingering at the edge of their third kiss she spoke.
"...Tom, I can't think of anything I wouldn't do with you. It's a yes."
Just then Thomas and Teresa heard a commotion as Minho stormed into Medical. Moments later Minho yanked back the curtain surrounding them as he spoke.
"Glad you're back Thomas. Teresa kissed me for explaining you're an idiot. You should break up with her immediately."
Minho was deadpanning them both the way he did when he would bait Greenies into a joke. Teresa shook her head emphatically and spoke to Thomas.
"I kissed his cheek for reassuring me you'd come back. Minho said you never learned how to let me down, Tom."
Minho started laughing. Thomas winked at Teresa to reassure her he completely understood. Thomas spoke to Minho.
"Congratulations on your first kiss man."
Minho stopped laughing abruptly and spoke.
"-Whoa, hold on. That doesn't count."
Thomas smirked at Minho.
"Wait, are you serious? I figured you'd come back with something. You mean you actually haven't kissed Harriet yet?"
Teresa joined in.
"Seriously Minho?"
Minho turned bright red and spoke.
"Stay out of my business! Besides, that wasn't a kiss. Teresa pecked me on the cheek. To be a kiss you have to have lips touching lips! I don't even want to think about where your lips have been considering you like this ugly shank."
Teresa made eye contact with Tom, raising her eyebrows and smiling without speaking. Minho put up his hands.
"Look, forget all this! I was just trying to have a laugh, but two mind readers are no fun at all!"
Minho cleared his throat. He looked to Thomas.
"We need to get our game faces on. Fry and Harriet are stalling Hudson. But I need to know everything you know. Tell me everything Thomas."
Thomas nodded and gave Minho the details of everything that happened and everything he saw...
Newt stayed in decon twice as long as necessary. He told himself he was doing it to be sure he didn't bring anything harmful into Tesla's room. But the truth was he was nervous to see her. Like every survivor of the Flare, she had a collection of horror stories from encountering cranks. Hers was all the more traumatic because it was her own father who turned on her after he got sick. Newt didn't think Tesla witnessed anything he'd done to save her. He wished he could keep it that way. But between the rumors and the fact he wouldn't lie to Tesla, he knew he couldn't conceal his newfound ability for long. When he finally got up the courage to walk into her room Tesla was awake and smiled at Newt weakly.
"Hi, handsome."
Newt hurried to her side and hugged her gently being careful to spare her injured arm. Tesla spoke.
"Did everyone make it?"
Newt nodded and spoke.
"You were the only one Teresa was worried about. Now that your awake, the entire team made it."
Tesla sighed with relief. Newt continued.
"How do you feel?"
"Well, my hand bloody hurts but I guess fair freight for being a bang-on coward..."
Tesla lifted her very mechanical looking prosthetic hand up out from under the sheets and stared at it as she splayed out her new metal fingers. Newt held Tesla's other hand and squeezed her chilly fingers.
"Listen, Teresa said it's only temporary. She hopes to repair your proper hand straight away."
Tesla was still speechless. Looking at the spinning servos inside her black and silver metallic hand. She flexed and extended her fingers listening to the quiet whirs and clicks the device made.
"I guess it's kinda badass..."
She looked up into Newt's eyes.
"Thank you Newt. You came back for me. I know it had to be you. You saved all of me that you could after I bloody froze and nearly got all of us killed. I'm grateful..."
Tesla beckoned Newt closer as if she wanted to whisper something to him. It was a trick of course. With her good hand, she reached up and pulled Newt's head toward her and kissed his lips. After their deepest kiss yet she pulled back slowly and spoke.
"Grateful to have a second chance with you if you still want me?"
The follow-on makeout kiss from Newt left no question just how much of her he wanted. After over a minute of divine torture, Tesla smiled.
"I'll take that as a yes."
Newt spoke.
"Before this gets further. I need to tell you what happened. It might change how you feel, and I need to know you're goin' into this with your eyes wide open."
Tesla inadvertently reached out and held Newt's hand with her new prosthetic. After a moment of nervous discomfort spread across Tesla's face, she spoke interrupting him.
"Newt, my recall is blurry, but I still remember a few things."
Newt could feel himself start to sweat.
"What do you remember, Tesla?"
"I remember seeing you fighting towards me... Hearing those damned wolves whimpering the closer you got... Seeing you get bitten from all sides but you fought free and kept coming... I remember seeing you in the firelight coming to save me like you were something out of a dream."
Newt felt his heart sink.
"Tes, if you saw me clearly I think you'd mean something out nightmare."
Newt felt Tesla hold his and a little tighter.
"I meant a dream. I could see you, Newton. I could tell you were cranky."
Newt found it adorable, the way Tesla's voice went up when she said, 'cranky.' Tes continued speaking.
"I don't care if you're getting sick. I'll take all of you I can get in the meantime."
Newt was feeling relieved. He spoke.
"I'm not sick and ain't' dying or losing my mind. It's more like; I can turn crank when I get really off'ed. Once I cool down, it's just me.
Tesla ran her hand along Newt's face and down his chest. Only stopping when the reach of her arm exceeded her grasp. She spoke.
"I guess it's my job to keep you happy then."
Tesla gave Newt a sexy smile and kicked her legs out of bed preparing to stand. She spoke.
"Want to take me home?"
Newt's smile betrayed the joy he felt. Between the trials, keeping friends safe, and the deep abiding fear that he'd lose his mind. He'd never had much time to consider a 'happily ever after' for himself. Now he was on the verge of the very thing he'd wanted but never allowed himself to wish for. Newt gave into his hope and spoke.
"I'll do you one better-"
Before Tesla's feet reached the floor, Newt scooped her up into his strong arms.
"-think I'll just give ya a lift home."
With that Newt carried Tesla out of Medical.
I know how many people care about Newt and I want to get this right. He's top two best characters in the book and yes, Newtship is rising :) That said, if you have insights into Newt's character please let me know via review/pm. I'm Thomesa #1 but I want to nail this to do fans justice. So here's an author's note; compare and contrast:
I see Newt motivation like this...
1) He's the guy who's always putting the greater good ahead of himself.
Movie - TDC he was going to go after Minho even if he knew he was dying and felt like the walking dead towards the end still, there was no stopping him. Book - He could have gone back with the others from Crank Palace but he'd rather die as himself than live as a villain, even if he had to beg Thomas to be the instrument of his destruction.
2) The preservation of order is a core principal to him. - For instance, the multiple references in the books/movies to the rules being what keeps them safe. Also Newt's worst fear, losing himself to Flare. Because if you cant control yourself, there are no rules.
Contrast with Thomas.
Thomas was a hero but he never took his eyes off Teresa. Like ever. The book and the movie got this right. He was in love with her. It didn't matter whether he was feeling good or bad or neutral about Teresa, She was always on his mind.
Newt never had that chance to fall in love because he was always heavy with responsibility. Even to the end of the book and movie, Newt was trying to help Thomas realize his goals because his loyalty outweighed his personal desires.
Newt's out there, help! Do I have this wrong? What am I missing? Review :)
Thank you for reading!